his head in disgust. “Bunch of his buddies dared him to take the car for a joyride. Guess he freaked when you nabbed him, so he shot you.”
“Stupid kid,” Jake said, remembering how dumb he’d been at the same age.
“Got the gun from his dad’s drawer at home.” Walker made a clicking sound with his cheek. “His parents are pretty upset. They’re basically good people. Maybe a little jail time will do him good.”
Jake frowned. Serving time could go either way—harden the boy to crime and add another dark layer to his attitude or make him want to turn things around. Unfortunately, Jake had bigger fish to fry.
The sheriff headed to the door. “Oh, by the way, my daughter recently got her license. I think I’ll stop by Wacky Wiley’s. Maybe you can cut me a deal on a good used car.” A chuckle reverberated from his chest. “Last year he had all his salesmen dress up like elves for the Christmas specials. Better get yourself healed so you can fit into those little green tights.”
The man’s booming laughter echoed off the walls as he left the room. Jake rolled his eyes, praying he’d finish his investigation before Christmas. Every job had its limits—he’d run through a jungle full of snakes, walk through fire, risk his life to keep the streets safe, but there was no way in hell he’d put on a silly elf suit.
No sooner had the sheriff left, than Jake’s partner and friend, Trevor Muldoon, loped in, grinning. Although Muldoon was in his fifties, Jake admired the older man and his commitment to his job. He was also one of the few cops he’d known who’d been able to keep a family. Muldoon enjoyed dispensing advice, constantly urged Jake to search for a good woman, and bragged about the difference his marriage had made in his life. So far, Jake hadn’t bought any of the malarkey. “Hey, man, how’s the b—”
“Don’t say it,” Jake warned, knowing the older man intended to make him the butt of his jokes.
Muldoon chuckled. “The chief wanted me to find out if this shooting had anything to do with the investigation.”
“I don’t think so,” Jake said. “The local sheriff was just here.”
“Yeah, I saw him take off. I hid in the hall, didn’t want anyone to see me.”
Jake nodded. “Sheriff claimed the punk kid who shot me tried to steal the car on a dare. He’s too amateurish to be the mastermind we’re looking for. I need more time.”
“We’ll follow up on the kid. Chief wants you to tie this thing up before Christmas,” Trevor said. “Says he’ll have to pull you back in soon.”
“I’ll have the case solved by then,” Jake said. He’d step up the investigation, use every available clue and possible resource he had.
The intercom buzzed in the hallway and a voice paged Dr. Hartwell.
Trevor frowned at the announcement. “Your doctor?”
“Yeah. You’d better get out of here, man.”
“Keep me posted.” Trevor slipped out the door, and Jake leaned back against the pillow. He’d been wondering where the elusive beautiful doctor had been this morning. Wiley had phoned first thing to tell him he’d enlisted Hannah to drive him home. Jake had considered telling Wiley to forget it, that he’d take a cab, but then he’d decided why not? The sooner he got to know the doc the better.
HANNAH WAS on her way to answer the page when she saw a man slip from Jake Tippin’s room. Hmm, even though he didn’t have family, at least he had a visitor. Not one of the salesmen from Wiley’s, though. And how odd—she’d noticed the same man earlier—he’d been lurking in the hall. When the sheriff had left Jake’s room, the man had slipped behind a medicine cart until the lawman had disappeared. Who was the stranger, and why wouldn’t he want Sheriff Walker to see him?
The intercom announced her name again, and she shook off the uneasiness, knowing bigger problems awaited her. Having just completed an early-morning rotation in the ER, she was exhausted, but the minute she’d heard the page, adrenaline had kicked in. Adrenaline spurred by nerves. Her stomach clenched as she spotted Seth’s parents enter the chief of staff’s office ahead of her.
The Broadhursts were prominent retired physicians who’d donated scads of money to the hospital. They had power, influence and the backing of the board.
And they most likely hated her.
Why had she been asked to meet them in the chief’s office? Had they listened to the apology she’d left on their answering machine at home and decided to confront her?
She twisted her fingers together as she stared at the closed door. They couldn’t have her fired for what she’d done to their son, but they could make her life hell, could create dissension, could make her want to leave.
Maybe she should simply ask for a transfer. She could move to Atlanta, complete her residency at another hospital, make the situation less awkward for everyone. She’d already heard some nasty rumors floating around—she’d been having an affair, had rubbed it in Seth’s face when she dumped him. In a small town like Sugar Hill where everyone knew everyone else, the gossip about her jilting Seth would linger for months.
Striving for courage, she raised her hand and knocked. Dr. Porter’s curt voice invited her inside. Seconds later, she took a seat in a wing chair facing the chief of staff. Seth’s parents situated themselves on the adjacent navy loveseat. To her surprise, Seth stood on the far side, leaning against the wall, looking grim.
“You’re probably wondering why I asked you join us,” Dr. Porter said.
“I think I have an idea,” Hannah said, deciding to take a direct route. At six-three, the elderly gray-haired Dr. Porter was impressive and intimidating, not only because of his size, but because he had practiced medicine himself for years, had a reputation as a renowned surgeon, and contributed regularly to a major medical research journal. When his wife had died the year before, he’d left a prominent Boston facility to manage this small-town hospital, saying he needed less pressure.
Hannah certainly hadn’t helped his situation any.
Seth’s mother, an attractive brunette in her early fifties, stared blankly at her while her husband’s scowl reflected his displeasure.
“I know I owe you all an apology,” Hannah said, praying she sounded sincere. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed the hospital by my actions. And I’m really sorry for the way I handled things yesterday with Seth.” She gave Seth a wary smile.
Seth nodded, his gaze oddly understanding.
Seth’s mother’s mouth tightened into a thin line. His father arched a bushy brow.
She directed her gaze at his parents. “I never meant to hurt Seth, I hope you two believe that. Seth is really a wonderful guy.”
“And an important part of the hospital,” Dr. Porter pointed out.
“Yes,” Hannah said, hearing the unspoken message, More important than a young resident. “He’s very well respected here and I still would like to think of him as a friend. I honestly believe that I did the right thing, though, by canceling the wedding. I think one day Seth will agree.”
His arched brow said he wasn’t sure, but he was contemplating
